New Mobilties within Old Paradigms: Globalization, Citizenship and Migration: beyond the Nation State?

This research paper illustrates the misfit of the nation state paradigm and citizenship theories in contemporary world of de-territorialised politics and economy especially in the context of globalization. Using the combination of intersectionality theory with contract and governance approaches, this study tries to come to terms with the complexities of migratory flows of people in the present world. A number of examples of migration experiences have been selected to illustrate this misfit. Two of these many stories – namely that of the Chinese cockle pickers who in 2004 lost their lives in Morecambe Bay – and that of Ayaan Hirsi Ali who lost her Dutch citizenship in 2006 – have been looked into in detail. Both cases are examined in the context of global migration regimes as they operate within the context of ‘Fortress Europe’. One of the interesting outcomes of the study is a reappraisal of the notion of ‘citizenship’. Here the study draws on Kabeer’s study of how to construct more inclusive forms of citizenship for those like migrants who find themselves excluded. Relevance to Development Studies: “If there was a global theme of the year in 2006, it was that of migration and development” (IOM 2006). The International Organization for Migration (IOM) proposed this theme because of their view that obstacles to migratory movements are now one of the major obstacles for the South in promoting their development. This study contributes a ‘think piece’ with some examples, to explore these huge questions of citizenship and patterns of exclusion and inclusion under global migration regimes. This is an area of growing importance for development studies generally.